CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 913

00173

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Ref.:

that this copy is

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

Please notions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafel.

ed subject to the National Archives' terme and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

TE BY THE WAR OFFICE

TOP SECRET

IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONTINUANCE

PARY GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG

AFTER 1 APRIL, 1946

13

Item 17 and OOS(46) 38th Mtg Item 14.)

cations" in their narrow sense

sary implications of a continuance of

ion in HONG KONG after 1st April 1946

st that the expenses of the

fall to be covered by the War Office

Lal budget. This will be

illy, as no provision has been made in

charge beyond 31st l'arch. The

lered by the Service Authorities in th

I not materially alter whether there ir

on or a continuance of Military

a civil population.

ations in their wider aspect

uspect a continuance of Military

NG KONG would mean that the military

for the retention of martial law in

ne being. The only justification for ion, which is indistinguishable from

ary necessity, i.e.

ition as regards law and order is so

is that the Civil Government cannot

or

itary requirements upon local facilities, transportation, are such that they must

rriding authority of co-ordination.

/It is for......

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It is for the Chiefs of Staff to say whether either of these

conditions exist.

3.

Under Military Administration the constitutional rights

of the civil population are definitely restricted and

curtailed, e.g. civil courts are not in operation, rights of

appeal are in abeyance and long-term rehabilitation of the

territory cannot get fully under way. On the other hand the

return of the Civil Government does not mean that there will

be any major upheaval in the lower levels of the administrative

machine and the local military authorities will necessarily

have to continue to render the same assistance to the Civil

Administration as they have been rendering up to now to the

Military Administration, although this will gradually decrease

after the Civil Government takes over. Nor does it mean that

the necessary facilities for the Services will not be made

available by the Civil Government as they have been e.g.

in the United Kingdom during the period of the war.

Conclusion

4.

An early decision on this matter is urgently required.

12 March, 1946.

Ref:

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

citase note that this Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' lenfel

subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

restrictions

า